ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Women account for nearly half the global population of persons living with HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa women constitute 60% of adults living with the virus. The situation makes it necessary to develop and improve prevention actions that target women. The female condom is a practical option. It is the only available dual protection method that protects against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies, and is designed for women to initiate.
Objective: This study evaluated female condom acceptability in Francistown, Botswana. The main aim of the study was to examine female condom uptake among female health workers. The study also assessed beliefs held by health workers regarding the condom.
Research Design: The research design employed was the survey method. Seventy-one participants were enrolled. Participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire which consisted of demographic characteristics, and attitudes and perceptions of female condom use.
Results: The study found that 15.5% of women had used the female condom in the previous month, 12.9% had used the condom in the previous 3 months, and 17.2% had used the female condom in the previous 12 months. The study also showed that the majority of participants believed the female condom was readily available (71.4%) and that it empowered women (63.3%), and the majority of women (78.9%) would recommend its use. However, only 22.8% believed that the female condom was better than the male condom, 28.6% believed it was easy to use, and only 9.8% thought it was popular with clients. The majority (53.5%) believed the female condom was not well promoted and (56.3%) of participants did not know if sex with the female condom was as good.
Conclusion & Recommendation: Female condom use by female health workers was low. There is need for more research to examine why the condom is not acceptable among female health workers.